Collection: Lighting controls

Lighting controls: managing a boat's lighting circuits

Lighting controls are used to command, adjust, organize, or monitor the lights installed on board. They can range from very simple, such as a dimmer for a cockpit area, to much more complex systems with hubs, interfaces, screens, and zone-based control. The right choice depends on the type of lighting, the vessel's voltage, the current consumed, and the desired level of control.

This collection includes two main families: Blue Sea Deckhand dimmers for DC circuit dimming, and Garmin/Lumishore modules for more advanced lighting installations, particularly EOS, SUPRA, i-Connect, or DMX systems. It caters to both simple setups and boats with multiple lighting zones to coordinate.

Dimmers for 12 V and 24 V circuits

A dimmer allows you to adjust light intensity without replacing fixtures. This is useful in a cockpit, cabin, helm station, or night watch area where you want to switch from functional lighting to softer lighting. The Blue Sea Deckhand 12 V DC 12 A dimmer meets this need for 12 V circuits requiring higher output capacity. For smaller loads, the Deckhand 12 V DC 6 A may be more suitable.

24 V installations have equivalent options: the Deckhand 24 V 12 A and the Deckhand 24 V 6 A. The choice between 6 A and 12 A is based on the total current of the controlled fixtures, with a reasonable margin. Compatibility with the type of lighting must also be verified: LED, halogen, incandescent, or already regulated circuits.

The Deckhand Dimmer follows the same local control logic: a clear interface, smooth dimming, and marine-grade mounting. For such products, the most important factors are correctly sizing the circuit and ensuring the control is accessible from the usage area.

Hubs, interfaces, and zone-based systems

For more complex underwater or decorative lighting installations, a simple dimmer is not always sufficient. Hubs and interfaces allow you to control multiple fixtures, manage zones, connect modules, or integrate advanced control. The i-Connect EOS hub kit and the i-Connect SUPRA hub kit help structure such installations.

The SUPRA family also includes the i-Connect SUPRA hub kit with DMX cable, the SUPRA SMX Lumi-Hub, and the SUPRA Bridge Module. These products are designed for installations where spotlights, underwater lights, or fixtures must operate as a system rather than isolated lamps.

Screens and control centers

When lighting becomes a central function on the boat, the control interface is as important as the modules. The EOS LUX SUPRA screen and the EOS LUX control center allow you to consolidate control in a dedicated interface. This is useful when multiple zones, colors, or scenarios need to remain simple for the crew to use.

The i-Connect SUPRA THX/TIX installation kit with switch and hub is relevant when the need focuses on both integration and control. In this case, the entire installation must be planned: compatible fixtures, cables, hubs, switches, module locations, and future access for maintenance.

Key selection criteria before installation

The first criterion is the vessel's voltage: 12 V or 24 V. The second is the total current of the circuit. Add up the consumption of the controlled fixtures and choose an appropriately sized controller, avoiding continuous operation at maximum capacity. Next, verify dimming compatibility: not all LEDs respond the same way to a dimmer, especially if they already include regulation electronics.

For zone-based systems, start with the boat's layout. Which zones should be controlled together? Which zones should remain separate? Is local control, a central screen, a DMX interface, or a specific hub required? A good lighting system must be understandable at the helm, well-documented, and easy to troubleshoot.

Complementary collections

To complete your installation, also consult the lighting, courtesy lights, and spotlights collections. Lighting controls should be chosen in conjunction with the fixtures they will operate, not separately.

Skysat advice

Start by mapping the lighting zones and electrical loads, then select the control system. For a simple circuit, a properly sized dimmer is often sufficient. For underwater lights or spotlights controlled by zones, prioritize a consistent hub + interface architecture, with clearly identified cables, protections, and documentation.